Hezekiah was the 13th king of Judah, reigning from around 715 BC to 686 BC. He is described in 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah as a righteous king who trusted in God and instituted religious reforms in Judah. Here is an overview of Hezekiah’s life and accomplishments according to the Bible:
Hezekiah’s Family Background
Hezekiah was the son of King Ahaz and Abijah (2 Chronicles 29:1). Ahaz was an unrighteous king who promoted idolatry and even sacrificed his own son (2 Kings 16:3). But Hezekiah did not follow in his father’s footsteps. His mother Abijah was the daughter of a man named Zechariah (2 Chronicles 29:1).
Hezekiah’s Reign in Judah
Hezekiah began ruling Judah around 715 BC at the age of 25 (2 Kings 18:2). He reigned in Jerusalem for 29 years. Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and was considered one of the most righteous kings of Judah (2 Kings 18:3-5).
Early in his reign, Hezekiah reopened and repaired the temple in Jerusalem which had been neglected and defiled during his father Ahaz’s ungodly rule (2 Chronicles 29:3-36). He restored the sacrificial system and celebration of Passover according to the law of Moses (2 Chronicles 30:1-27).
Hezekiah also destroyed pagan idols and high places of false worship that had sprung up around Judah (2 Kings 18:4). He broke sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles devoted to the goddess Asherah, and even destroyed the bronze serpent Moses had made because it had become an object of worship (2 Kings 18:4).
The Bible says Hezekiah trusted in the Lord with all his heart (2 Kings 18:5). He was devoted to God and clung to Him even through difficult times like the Assyrian invasion led by Sennacherib.
Hezekiah’s Reforms and Projects
In addition to the religious reforms described above, Hezekiah undertook several building projects and military preparations:
- He fortified Jerusalem in expectation of an Assyrian invasion (2 Chronicles 32:2-6).
- He dug a tunnel to bring water into the city from the Gihon spring outside the city walls (2 Chronicles 32:30). This tunnel still exists today.
- Hezekiah also rebelled against paying tribute to the Assyrians, asserting Judah’s independence (2 Kings 18:7).
Sickness and Healing
One of the most famous stories about Hezekiah occurred when he was deathly ill. The prophet Isaiah came to Hezekiah and told him to put his affairs in order because he would die from his illness. But Hezekiah prayed earnestly to God, reminding God of his faithfulness. God heard his prayer and healed him, promising to add 15 years to his life (2 Kings 20:1-11).
As a sign of this promise, God caused the shadow on the stairs of Ahaz to go back ten steps (2 Kings 20:8-11). This miraculous sign demonstrated God’s power over time and space. Hezekiah showed a lack of judgment, however, when he proudly welcomed envoys from Babylon and showed them all the wealth of his kingdom (2 Kings 20:12-19). This was a mistake that would contribute to Judah’s downfall over a century later.
Invasion by Assyria
One of the biggest events during Hezekiah’s reign was the invasion of the Assyrian army under King Sennacherib. The Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel/Samaria in 722 BC, and later turned their attention to Judah and Jerusalem.
In around 701 BC, Sennacherib’s army captured all the major fortified cities of Judah (2 Kings 18:13). Hezekiah tried to make peace by paying tribute, but Sennacherib demanded more. Sennacherib sent officials to demand Jerusalem’s surrender and to undermine the people’s trust in God (2 Kings 18:17-35).
Hezekiah went to God in prayer, and the prophet Isaiah prophesied that God would defend Jerusalem for the sake of David (2 Kings 19:14-34). That night an angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw (2 Kings 19:35-36). Jerusalem was saved from destruction.
Hezekiah’s Folly with Babylon
After Hezekiah’s illness, he showed all his wealth and armory to envoys from Babylon (2 Kings 20:12-13). This was likely intended to form an alliance against the Assyrians. But it was foolish since Babylon would later turn against Judah. The prophet Isaiah rebuked Hezekiah and prophesied that all these treasures would one day be carried off to Babylon (2 Kings 20:16-18). This prophecy came true over a century later when Babylon conquered Judah.
Death and Burial
Hezekiah died around 686 BC at the age of 54 (2 Kings 20:21). He was buried in the “upper grave” with honor, since the people recognized that he had been a righteous king (2 Chronicles 32:32-33). His son Manasseh succeeded him as king. Manasseh was an evil king who undid Hezekiah’s religious reforms.
Hezekiah’s Legacy
Hezekiah left a strong legacy as one of the most righteous kings of Judah. Scripture says no king before or after him was like him in his devotion to God (2 Kings 18:5). He served during a politically tumultuous time, but constantly relied on God for deliverance. His dramatic deliverance from the Assyrians was still remembered over a century later (Isaiah 37:14-20).
Although not perfect, Hezekiah made an impact through his bold leadership, prayer, reform, and trust in God in the face of overwhelming odds. He was used by God to bring revival and deliverance to Judah for a season before its final downfall over a century later.
Lessons from Hezekiah’s Life
Here are some key lessons that emerge from Hezekiah’s life:
- Wholehearted devotion to God is possible, even in difficult circumstances.
- Dramatic answers to prayer are possible when we pray according to God’s will.
- God looks for leaders who will act boldly for Him.
- Faithfulness to God brings great reward.
- Deliverance often comes through uncompromising trust in God.
- Guarding our hearts is essential, even after spiritual victories.
- Alliances with ungodly nations can lead to compromise.
- Revival requires destroying all competing idols and influences.
Hezekiah in Biblical Prophecy
In addition to the accounts in Kings and Chronicles, Hezekiah plays an important role in chapters 36-39 of the book of Isaiah. Isaiah ministered during Hezekiah’s reign and prophesied the deliverance from the Assyrians that Hezekiah eventually experienced. Key prophecies include:
- Isaiah’s prophecy that a remnant of Judah would survive the Assyrian invasion (Isaiah 37:31-32)
- The prophecy of deliverance for Jerusalem when surrounded by the Assyrians (Isaiah 37:33-35)
- The prophecy of Hezekiah’s healing and added years of life (Isaiah 38:5)
- The prediction of the Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 39:6-7)
Hezekiah was hopeful this alliance with Babylon would protect Judah, but Isaiah rebuked this strategy and rightly predicted Babylon would eventually turn against them. But Hezekiah’s prayer for deliverance from Assyria was powerfully answered during Jerusalem’s siege.
Hezekiah and Archaeology
Archaeology has uncovered artifacts confirming certain details about Hezekiah’s reign:
- The Siloam Inscription – An inscription found carved in Hezekiah’s water tunnel describing the tunnel’s construction.
- The Broad Wall – A massive wall uncovered in Jerusalem dating to Hezekiah’s preparations against Assyria.
- Iconoclastic Plaque – A plaque found in an ancient gate referring to “cutting off the images” matching Hezekiah’s reforms.
- Hepatoscopia Model – A clay model of a sheep liver used for divination, evidence of pagan religious practices Hezekiah abolished.
Archaeological findings confirm Hezekiah’s extensive building projects, preparations against Assyria, and his sweeping religious reforms during a politically turbulent time period.
Hezekiah in the New Testament
Although Hezekiah is not mentioned directly in the New Testament, there may be a possible allusion to him in Hebrews 11. Verse 34 refers to those “whose weakness was turned to strength” which seems to match the pattern of Hezekiah’s illness and healing. Hezekiah trusted God in his illness, and God miraculously healed him and strengthened him with 15 more years of life.
Jesus also referenced Hezekiah briefly in his warning about the future destruction coming on Jerusalem: “The days will come upon you when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side…They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you” (Luke 19:43-44). This was fulfilled when the Babylonians later sieged and destroyed Jerusalem.
Although Hezekiah experienced deliverance in his day, Jesus warned later generations failed to turn to God, sealing their eventual downfall. But Hezekiah provides an example of faithful dependence on God even amidst overwhelming threat and uncertainty.
Summary of Hezekiah’s Life
In summary, Hezekiah was one of the most faithful kings of Judah according to the Bible. He instituted sweeping religious reforms, destroyed pagan worship centers, and trusted wholeheartedly in God for deliverance against all odds. He made some missteps like showing the Babylonians his wealth. But overall, he led Judah to a season of revival and divine protection unlike any other period in its history. His example stands out as one who acted boldly and relied fully on God during a politically chaotic age.
Hezekiah’s story highlights the power of prayer, the possibility for national revival, and God’s miraculous protection for those who trust in Him. Hezekiah points forward to Christ, who likewise delivered His people and healed and restored the sick and downtrodden. Hezekiah was by no means perfect, but his courageous faith in desperate times provides an inspiring example of godly leadership for all generations.